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The Effect of Autism Spectrum Disorder
The prevalence of ASD is estimated to be between 1% and 2% of the general population. Onset of symptoms usually occurs before the age of three years.
What is Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)?
Autism is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder characterised by impaired social interaction and communication, repetitive behaviors, and restricted interests. The precise cause of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) is still unknown. However, there are strong genetic components and environmental influences that play a role in the development of ASD.
Conventional treatment methods for ASD typically include behavioral therapy, educational interventions, speech therapy and medications. Although drugs may be helpful in treating some behavioral symptoms of ASD, they can have serious side effects and are not always effective. Thus, there is a need for safer treatments for ASD.
How Can Medical Cannabis Help With ASD?
The effects of cannabis on human beings have been a controversial subject for many years. With much debate surrounding the use of this substance for medicinal purposes.
Medical cannabis treatment for many health conditions has become more accepted because of the discovery that the human body has an endocannabinoid system (ECS). This is a network of receptors that cannabinoids act upon. The ECS regulates many physiological processes such as appetite, mood, memory, sleep, and immune function. Treating autism with cannabis is becoming more accepted. Research into how this treatment might help those suffering from this disorder and slowly becoming more common and available.
There are actually several components in the cannabis plant that could potentially be used to treat symptoms of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). One component found in cannabis is cannabidiol (CBD), which is considered by researchers to be extremely valuable in treating ASD. CBD has been shown to have neuroprotective properties that could potentially reduce damage done by glutamate.
